Our small servings on those big plates...

I just wanted to share something that I did recently that has helped me immensely at mealtimes.

There was something about how empty my plate always looked since surgery, with the little portions, even though I used salad plates. It's that "head thing" we tend to have as overeaters, I guess.

Well, I decided I wanted a plate that was the right size for me, so I searched until I found just the right thing. Canape/appetizer plates! I got plates that, although they're small, at least my meal fills them up. They're pretty, and they make my meals so much more enjoyable.

Anyway, I thought maybe others here might benefit from the idea, so decided to share.

Just as an example, here are the ones I got (6.5" x 4.5"):

I've been eating off an appetizer plate since surgery. I love that my plate is full and like yours it's a pretty plate. I would hate to have to look at a half empty dinner or even lunch plate.

And here I thought I was so clever but you beat me to it!! lol It does make a huge difference, doesn't it?

Right after surgery I ate with a small baby spoon,then graduated to toddler spoon.Helps to remind you to take small bites.

I is a 7" sandwich" plate and a 4 oz sauce bowl from. my china set for most of my meals. I also have small coffee spoons and ****tail forks. It all really does help with the whole head vs stomach struggle.

I eat most of my meals on salad plates - they're 7" diameter.

I did this at first but I quickly found that was a bad idea for me. When we went out to friends, family or restaurants I still had that "empty the plate" mentality. I went back to big plates and just got used to what my meal looks like.

Your plate is beautiful. Whatever gives us comfort and delivers us safely to "the next phase" is what we should do!

What worked for me for almost a year post-op was eating my food in layers in a cup -- protein on top, veggies next, a little whole grains on the bottom. That way, any sauces moistened up all the layers (which is great, if you like it that way).

That cup arrangement also reinforced for me "protein first."

Nearly 3 years later I'm still eating protein first. :)

I've been using my fiestaware appetizer plates since surgery. That way I match the rest of the table when it's set but it's not overwhelming to look at the blank space!

I love Fiesta ware!